John Sear in Unity for iOS and Android phones - complete with avatars, geolocated buildings, GPS tracking, and a multiplayer system with voice and text chat. Admin can manage sessions and players, and live stream the game. " />
Arts-focused Freelance Creative Technologist
Ben Neal
"always at the cutting edge of technology, education and arts practice"
- Andrew Pearsall (BCU)
Previous
8/11
Next
  • Elly Clarke-Half Crowns in their Petticoats-0
  • Elly Clarke-Half Crowns in their Petticoats-1
  • Elly Clarke-Half Crowns in their Petticoats-2
  • Elly Clarke-Half Crowns in their Petticoats-3
  • Elly Clarke-Half Crowns in their Petticoats-4
Elly Clarke
Half Crowns in their Petticoats
Visit WebsiteVisit Website
2013

This audio recording project captured the stories of a group of ex-bank workers and was recorded on site at the cavernous Municipal Bank in Birmingham and from within it's vaults. Interviews were edited and mastered before being exhibited at a public art show on headphones.

Shown at Thrift Radiates Happiness at Birmingham Municipal Bank

  • Juneau Projects-Welcome to Happy Redoubt-0
  • Juneau Projects-Welcome to Happy Redoubt-1
  • Juneau Projects-Welcome to Happy Redoubt-2
  • Juneau Projects-Welcome to Happy Redoubt-3
  • Juneau Projects-Welcome to Happy Redoubt-4
Juneau Projects
Welcome to Happy Redoubt
Visit WebsiteVisit Website
2013

A text to speech engine was utilised for use in wooden robots built by Juneau Projects. Users could converse with them by pressing buttons.

Shown at King's College, London. Featured on BBC news. A King's Cultural Institute commission.

  • Meatfeast-Self-inflicted Haircut-0
  • Meatfeast-Self-inflicted Haircut-1
  • Meatfeast-Self-inflicted Haircut-2
  • Meatfeast-Self-inflicted Haircut-3
  • Meatfeast-Self-inflicted Haircut-4
Meatfeast
Self-inflicted Haircut
2011

A music video was produced, shot and edited for progressive metal band Meatfeast. With Director Kevin Chapman a filmcrew was assembled, storyboards drawn, location scouted, costumes and props created. The video was shot at Green Street Arts studios in Birmingham. Additional glitch effects by Antonio Roberts were added in post-production with the final edit done by myself.

Screened at Cannes in a Van, London and Scruffy Murphey's, Birmingham

Previous
8/11
Next
"always at the cutting edge of technology, education and arts practice"
- Andrew Pearsall (Birmingham City University)
"continually exceeded my original design brief"
- Tony Coleman, VJ (TheLAB)
"expert advice and solutions"
- Shayal Chhibber, PHD student
"easy to communicate with, very creative, extremely reliable...
good value for money"
- Dr. C. Samantha Porter (Loughborough University)
"a talented and consummate creative force, and a pleasure to work with'"
- Shaun Kelly, Musician (The Lights)
"passion & enthusiasm for projects & challenges...
an invaluable contact"
- Charlie Levine, Arts Curator
"understands... no matter how bizarre or impossible the task"
- Nat Pitt, Gallery Owner (Pitt Studio)
"...an extremely talented, versatile creative ...very proficient..."
- Matt Robinson, Artist (Jin Pow)
"made it possible ...thanks to his computer wizardry."
- Will Parker, Artist (World of Parker)
"stretching the boundries of what most people could conceive"
- Matthew Rowley, Associate
"very genuine passion about the work and the final product"
- Ria Butler, Manager (Eastern Garden)
"excellent creative input to improve on the original prototype"
- Matthew Head, PHD Student
"understood exactly what I needed."
- Sandra Graham, Artist
"we love working with him!"
- Louise Latter, Head of Programme (Birmingham Open Media)
"Creative and considered approach to multiple unknown challenges"
- Halina Dominska, Artist
"I'm consistently amazed by Ben's breadth of knowledge
and knack for finding creative solutions."
- Edie Jo Murray, Artist
"we have had lots of different art and tech opportunities
and we really have this first experience working with Ben to thank for that"
- Anna Horton, Artist (One Five West)
"great to collaborate with, creating some really inspiring work"
- Oliver Scott, Mercurial Dance
"His combination of artistic and technical skills are unique"
- John Sear, Real-World Game Designer (Museum Games)
"A fantastic collaborator. I recommend him highly"
- Kerryn Wise, Digital Dance Artist
"extremely professional to work with
- he made the complexities of technology clearly understandable"
- Chris Poolman, Artist (General Public)
"no matter how far it pushes the imagination - Ben can make it happen"
- Harmeet Chagger-Khan, Artist
"he creates magic"
- Seraina Dejaco, Dancer
"a creative, super-technician and natural educator we have enjoyed working with him over many years"
- Matt Hogan, Head of Operations (Ikon Gallery)
"an extremely knowledgeable artist and creative technologist, who went above and beyond our expectations
- Karolina Korupczynska (Stryx Gallery)
"his work is consistently a joy!"
- Nick Murray, Producer (Now Play This)
"responsive and generous with his skills and ideas.
He's always keen to innovate and push the limits"
- Sarah Martindale (Mixed Reality Lab, Nottingham University)
"The final work was fantastic... not only due to Ben's digital skills but to the time and commitment put into ensuring the work was high quality."
- Nick Slater(LU Arts)
"a very impressive problem solver...
caring and professional commitment to the project"
- Tyrone Huggins (Actor)
"Ben combines creativity and technical proficiency...
to get the best out of any idea."
- Baff Akoto (Artist)